text: As this is an analytical chemistry technique quality control is an important factor to maintain.  A laboratory must produce trustworthy results.  This can be accomplished by a laboratories continual effort to maintain instrument calibration, measurement reproducibility, and applicability of analytical methods.  In all laboratories there must be a quality assurance plan.  This plan describes the quality system and procedures in place to obtain consistent results.  Such results must be authentic, appropriately documented, and technically defensible."  Such elements of quality assurance include organization, personnel training, laboratory operating procedures, procurement documents, chain of custody records, standard certificates, analytical records, standard procedures, QC sample analysis program and results, instrument testing and maintenance records, results of performance demonstration projects, results of data assessment, audit reports, and record retention policies.  
  The cost of quality assurance is continually on the rise but the benefits far outweigh this cost.  The average quality assurance workload was risen from 10% to a modern load of 20-30%. This heightened focus on quality assurance ensures that quality measurements that are reliable are achieved.  The cost of failure far outweighs the cost of prevention and appraisal.  Finally, results must be scientifically defensible by adhering to stringent regulations in the event of a lawsuit.